HR Pulse - Spring 2008 - (Page 31) the problem stream, political stream, and policy stream. In Pennsylvania, the problem was evident— hospitals were indeed fearful of lawsuits that could arise from giving references and were reluctant to change without legislative immunity. The political atmosphere in Pennsylvania was ripe in that legislators saw the value of being on the side of patient safety. The media was focusing on the issue and a former nurse turned legislator, Sen. Patricia Vance, asked her colleagues to correct the problem, making the time ripe for a policy change in the state. PASHHRA members joined forces with members of the Society for Healthcare Human Resources of Pennsylvania (SHHRPP) to lobby for immunity legislation in Harrisburg, the state’s capital. Working with Mebus, they presented their case for change to the chairperson of the Pennsylvania Legislative Judiciary Committee. Thanks to that initial visit and HAP’s ongoing lobbying efforts, the bill was eventually passed and signed by the governor in June 2005. The law is known as Act 3, or Pennsylvania’s Employer Referencing Act. It grants immunity to employers who provide information about an employee’s job performance, allowing hospitals and other health care institutions to be honest about why an individual left their facility. The bill presumes good faith, which can be rebutted only by clear and convincing evidence. It soon became clear, however, that passing the law was only half the battle; changing patterns in local HR departments became the new challenge. More collaboration and partnerships were needed to finalize the process of change. Pushing HR Departments Eight months after Act 3 became a reality, employment referrals in Pennsylvania continued to consist of dates of hire and termination and position. Patient safety had not advanced. PASHHRA leaders contacted the Delaware Valley Healthcare Council (DVHC), the local HAP affiliate, to ask for help in conducting an information session for area HR recruiters and executives. The advantage of involving DVHC was that the group was able to lend local credibility to the project. After the education session, an inter-facility workgroup was formed to draft a new Healthcare Reference Form that all facilities would agree to use. Nursing Spectrum magazine joined the cooperative effort by providing financial support for the education session and by running two articles—including a cover story—about the initiative. A final reference form was ratified by the workgroup in September 2006 and introduced at an education session for the five-county area surrounding Philadelphia. PASHHRA members hope that the form will become a model for the rest of Pennsylvania and that it will be used in the future by ASHHRA to spur federal immunity legislation. Garnering Recognition ASHHRA acknowledged the value of the Healthcare Reference Form by presenting its 2007 Communication Award to the DVHC and PASHHRA at the national conference in October. In addition, a working committee that includes representatives from ASHHRA, the American Organization of Nurse Executives and the American Society of Risk Managers is exploring ways to collaborate on a similar initiative at the national level. The ASHHRA HR Leader Model challenges the membership to show personal, community, and business leadership. This initiative shows what can be accomplished when members exhibit those skills collectively for the betterment of our industry and our patients. The care of patients sets health care human resources apart and makes us unique in what we do. Our ultimate focus must be our patients, and patients are safer in Pennsylvania thanks to the professionalism and leadership of a dedicated group of HR professionals. n Joseph Micucci is director of human resources at Jefferson University Hospitals - Methodist Division in Philadelphia, is a PASHHRA board member and At Large Member of the ASHHRA Board. He may be contacted at 215.952.9992. It soon became clear, however, that passing the law was only half the battle; changing patterns in local HR departments became the new challenge. 31 HR Pulse Spring 2008 Special Thanks The development, ratification and introduction of Pennsylvania’s new Healthcare Reference Form was made possible through the collaborative effort of a host of dedicated people, led by the following: David Brodar, Philadelphia and Suburban Healthcare Human Resources Association Pam Clark, Delaware Valley Healthcare Council Tom Conlin, Society for Healthcare Human Resources of Pennsylvania Kathleen Mebus, Health Association of Pennsylvania Joe Micucci, Philadelphia and Suburban Healthcare Human Resources Association John Osgood, Philadelphia and Suburban Healthcare Human Resources Association Marcia Telthorster, independent consultant (former ASHHRA Region 2 representative and board member)
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